I slept in Fleur's room that night, I would sleep in Ginny's on Christmas night. I woke up to the sound of Fleur's excited squeals. She was sitting in the middle of her bed with a stocking in her lap. I grabbed mine up from the foot of my bed before opening up the small packages in it.

I got a brand new Weasley Sweater, a rose pink sweater that was wonderfully warm. I didn't care for pink much, but it wasn't a bad shade. I shuffled through my presents, opening one from Harry first. He got me a book I'd admired in the Library, one I'd desperately wanted. My next one was from Ron, it was a Gryffindor scarf, mine had ripped this past winter. Ginny got me a makeup kit, which made me laugh. Bill and Fleur gave me a beautiful hair comb, it was ivory with sapphires embedded in it-I'd never seen such a pretty one. Angelina gave me a book entitled '101 ways to let your wizard know you love him.' It made me laugh when I remembered my panicky written letter to her. Fred gave me a perfected punching telescope, which made me laugh when I saw it came with a jar of bruise paste. Lastly, I got a box of daydream charms with a note taped to the top.

I'll give you your real present tonight.

-See you under the Mistletoe

George

"Zank you 'Ermione!" Fleur exclaimed, jumping off her bed and grabbing me in a hug. She was holding a silvery blue sweater I had knit for her. I had assumed, correctly, that Mrs. Weasley wouldn't be making her one, so I decided to make one for her. I tried to use the same color that her school uniforms had been, she'd looked beautiful in it. "Eet eez beauteeful! I shall wear eet to brunch!" She slipped the sweater on, I murmured a charm over it and it shrunk to fit her perfectly. A smile lifted my lips at the sight of her fluffing her hair in the mirror. I hopped off my bed and pulled my hair back in a quick braid

"Shall we go down to breakfast?" I asked, flipping my braid behind me. She nodded her head and grinned. We headed down stairs cheerfully, noticing that everyone else was wearing Weasley sweaters as well. Mrs. Weasley was wearing a midnight blue witch's hat glittering with little star-like diamonds, and a golden necklace.

"Fred and George gave them to me! Aren't they beautiful?" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed when she saw me eyeing them. I walked up behind George and kissed him on the cheek.

"Well, we find we appreciate you more and more, Mum, now we're washing our own socks," He told her as I lowered myself into the seat beside him. He gave me a kiss on the cheek, smacking loudly and causing me to giggle.

"Merry Christmas, Love." He said cheerfully. Everyone else was already downstairs, getting ready for Christmas Brunch. I helped set the table as Ginny and Fleur laid the pots out. Remus, Sirius, and Angelina flooed over a few minutes later, and we all sat down at the breakfast table. I sat next to George, with Harry to my right.

"Gravy, Fleur?" Ron asked, rising up in his seat to serve her some gravy. He knocked it over with his elbow and the gravy flew out of the bowl. My eye grew wide as I saw it soar towards Fleur, who looked horrified, before Bill waved his wand and the gravy returned to its dish.

"You are as bad as Tonks," Fleur said, kissing Bill on the cheek in thanks. "She is always knocking —" Remus had stiffened up at Fleur's comment and was now looking at Fleur with obvious annoyance.

"I invited dear Tonks to come along today," Mrs. Weasley said, glaring at Fleur as she slammed the carrots in front of her. "But she wouldn't come. Have you spoken to her lately, Remus?"

"No, I haven't been in contact with anybody very much," Remus said, dropping his gaze to his plate. Sirius was smiling at him as though he wasn't fooled by his nonchalance act. "But Tonks has got her own family to go to, hasn't she?"

"I think my cousin would rather spend it with another family." Sirius said offhandedly, refusing to look at Remus who had just glared at him.

"She would do well to spend it with her family." Remus said, his eyes narrowing. Sirius lifted a forkful of potatoes, staring at it with pretend interest.

"I don't think she could do better than the family she's chosen." He said calmly. Every one at the table, save for Mr. Weasley, Mrs. Weasley, and myself, looked completely clueless about this conversation.

"She doesn't realize how dangerous that family is." Remus said, stabbing his carrot angrily. Sirius rolled his eye and set his fork down turning to face Remus.

"Really?" He said, sounding annoyed and disbelieving. "Her family is related to Bellatrix, Lucius , and her dad is a muggleborn. Do you know how much Bella would like too, and tries too, kill all of them?" Remus just shook his head stubbornly.

"She doesn't understand about what she wants- it's better not too."

'You know," Harry said suddenly, looking curious. "Tonks's Patronus has changed its form, Snape said so anyway. I didn't know that could happen. Why would your Patronus change?"

Remus flushed, looking uncomfortable while Sirius just grinned, clearly his point had been made. I was having to fight not to laugh. Why couldn't Remus just accept the fact that Tonks was in love with him, wolf and all?

"Sometimes ... a great shock ... an emotional upheaval ..." Remus said slowly, struggling to find words.

"It looked big, and it had four legs," Harry continued. His eyes narrowed in thought as a grin spread across my face. Try and get out of this one Remus.

"Arthur!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed suddenly. She rose from her chair and had her hand pressed firmly against her chest. She was looking out the window. "Arthur-it's Percy!"

"What?" He exclaimed as everyone turned towards the window. Sure enough Percy was headed towards us, but he wasn't alone.

"He's with the Minister!" Mrs. Weasley exclaimed. Before we could do anything else, the front door opened and they walked into the doorway.

There was an awkward moment of silence and then Percy spoke, rather stiffly, "Merry Christmas, Mother."

"Oh, Percy!" Mrs. Weasley said, throwing herself into his arms. George stiffened noticeably beside me. I looked over and up at him and was a little surprised to see him glaring at Percy. A quick glance around the table showed Fred and Mr. Weasley to be glaring just as harshly. I made my expression blank, unsure how to react. I reached under the table and grasped George's hand though, letting him silently know that I'd back him up with whatever his decision/reaction . He glanced at me quickly, a small thankful smile gracing his lips before he returned to glairing stonily at Percy.

The Minister was still standing on the doorway, smiling as he leaned on his stick. "You must forgive this intrusion," he said when Mrs. Weasley finally let go of Percy. "Percy and I were in the vicinity — working, you know — and he couldn't resist dropping in and seeing you all."

Percy certainly showed no signs of having wanted to greet any of the family. He stood straight and awkward, looking over our heads as though he couldn't stand the thought of looking at us.

"Please, come in, sit down, Minister!" Mrs. Weasley said, straightening her hat. "Have a little purkey, or some tooding. ... I mean —"

"No, no, my dear Molly," The minister said, smiling silkily. "I don't want to intrude, wouldn't be here at all if Percy hadn't wanted to see you all so badly. . . ."

I doubted that very much, Percy looked like he had not wanted to see us at all.

"Oh, Perce!" Mrs. Weasley said tearfully, grabbing him another hug and reaching up to kiss him.

"We've only looked in for five minutes, so I'll have a stroll around the yard while you catch up with Percy. No, no, I assure you I don't want to butt in! Well, if anybody cared to show me your charming garden . . . Ah, that young man's finished, why doesn't he take a stroll with me?"

The minister pointed to Harry, and the rooms atmosphere changed instantly. Everyone stiffened and all eyes immediately shot to Harry. I dropped my other hand under the table and gripped my wand. I had no idea what to do, I only knew I wouldn't let him take Harry that easily.

"Yeah, all right," Harry said after a heartbeat. He glanced down, looking at my hand before looking at me. He shook his head a minute amount, but I didn't relax even a little bit.

He rose from his chair and walked towards the doorway. "It's fine." He said quietly, glancing at Sirius and Remus, both of whom had started to rise from their chairs.

"Wonderful!" The minister said, letting Harry through the door before following him himself.

"What are you really doing here?" Fred asked, glaring at Percy the minute the door shut. Percy remained standing in front of the door rigidly, a frown fixed firmly on his face.

"He just wanted to see us," Mrs. Weasley snapped, turning towards Percy imploringly. She grabbed his arm and gently led him to her seat at the table. She summoned a plate and set it in front of him with tender care.

"You're getting so thin!" She exclaimed, stroking his cheek lovingly. I understood her desire to have Percy come back to the family, but that was hopeful almost to stupidity. There was no way Percy was here for the family

Percy glanced at his mother, his gaze momentarily softening before returning to the blank expression he'd been wearing.

"What does Scrimgeour want with Harry?" Sirius demanded, his hands clenched in fist on top of the table. He scooted his chair out and made to rise, a enraged expression on his face. Remus gently pulled him back into his chair.

"He simply wished to speak with him." Percy said, still poker straight. He didn't bother touching his food, his gaze still over our heads.

"You didn't want to see us?" Mrs. Weasley whispered, tears filling her brown eyes.

"Of course not, mum." Fred said, leaning forward in seat now. George leaned forward as well, glowering at Percy. "He wanted to help the Minister, he doesn't care about Harry or us." He removed his gaze from Percy glancing at his mother then his father.

"He left if you remember, chose the ministry over his own family." Fred said quietly, as though he could hardly bear to say the words.

"How has work been?" Remus asked, clearly trying to defuse the tension in the room. Percy stiffened even more before turning towards Remus.

"We're doing everything in our power. Not that it helps with people taking advantage of the panic. We also have to keep defusing all the crazy rumors flying around, like the idea that Harry is the 'Chosen One.'

"Hey, Perce." Fred, George, and Ginny said together. I looked over just in time to see three gobs of mashed Parsnip go flying through the air. They hit Percy squarely on the nose, coating his horn rimmed glasses. He sputtered for a moment before shoving his chair back and standing up in a rush. He threw his napkin on the table and stormed out of the room. Mrs. Weasley promptly burst into tears while everyone else stood stone still.

Harry walked in moments later, his green eyes as piercing as ever. He took one look around the table before taking his seat beside me again. He glanced at me uncomfortably before picking up his fork. Everyone was still quiet, afraid to break the silence. A sudden inspiration hit me and I grabbed the gravy boat that was in front of me.

"Would you like some gravy Fleur? I don't think you got any earlier." I asked, holding the boat with a small, hopeful smile. She smiled tentatively, and a small chuckled sounded from someone. The silence broke and everyone started to eat again, albeit, much more quietly.